Improved curtain-fixture



Y t-titled time gaat om C. E. FRITTS, OF ONEO'NTA, YORK.

Lettens Patent No. 89,926, dated May 1l, 1869.

- v The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part ofthe same.

To all 'whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, C. E. FRITTS, of Oneonta, in the county of Otsego,and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Curtain-Fixture;and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,

Figurelrepresentsa side view, partly in section, v

of my improved curtain-fixture.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section, on an enlarged scale, of thesame.

Figures 3 and 4 are side views, partlyin section, o the same.` n p4Similar letters of reference; indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a new curtain-fxture, which is soarranged thatthe curtaiucan be retained at any desired height, or entirely wound up,or unwound from the roller, either by handling the curtain alone, or bythe cord down the side of the window-trame, or both.

The invention consists in the general arrangement and combination ofparts, as hereinafter more fully described.

c represents a conical barrel, which contains, in an annular recess, orchamber, a spring, b, of which one endis attachedto the axle c, theother tothe barrel.

d is a plate, closing vthe chamber that contains the spring b. 4

g is a cord, running in a spiral grooveon the snrface of the barrel,andv thence on au arbor, h,'the square end of which is fitted in asquare hole inl'the end-piece on the curtain-roller, A, so that b'othturn together.

' 'i are .the bearings in the plate, or case of the device.

The fixture being secured to the Window-frame, and

the arbor h inserted in the end of the curtain-roller A, the axlec sturned, winding up the spring, till its power balances the weight of thecurtain. The curtain will then staywherever it isplaced..

4If the axle cis turned so far Athat the spring is too' strong, it windsthe curtain up. If too weak, thecurtain overcomes it, and rolls down.

This alteration is eiiected by a cord, e, which is secured to a pulley,K, fitted on the square outer end of the axle c. The cord e goes aroundit, and down the side of thepwindows, through a ring, l, andan openhook, M.

The tasse] at the bottom of cord prevents pulling through.

To make the curtain rise, the cord is drawn directly down. To lower it,take the cord out of hook m, sideways, and let it back to l.

A ratchet-wheel, n, fits on the same shaft, c, as K, and turns with it.

Between the wheel n and edge of a recess in K, is room for a pawl, o, toWork. This pawl is pivoted to a swinging bar, jp.

The upper end ofthe bar 1) is rolled iiat and thin, forming a spring,which rests against a pin, r, and

.holds the pawl in the wheel n., except when held out.

The lower endof p is bent outwards, projecting through `slot inthe case,under the pulley K. When it is desired that the pulley K should be freeto move either way, the cord is placed in front ofthe pin, p, and pullsit back to p2. This raises the pawl from n, and leaves the pulley free.

The other end of the curtain-roller has an ordinary pivot, passingfreely through a hole in the supportingpiece y, which is stamped .fromsheet-brass, and is elasf tic, allowing' the roller to be shoved fromthe fixture, till it comes oi the arbor h.`

Thecase of the apparatus is made in the shape of a bracket, supportingthe curtain-roller, and may be plain or fancy.

Should the cord break, the wire p is free, and the spring throws thepawl o into. the wheel n, preventing any injury of the works by therapid descentof the curtain, or recoil ofthe spring b.

It will be noticed that the axle c is stationary, While the barrel.ctturns on it, as the curtain rises and falls, instead of being, asusually, made to turn with it.

When-the axle moves', it does so independently of the motion of thebarrel, the former altering the power of the spring, the latter movingthe curtain. Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new,and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is- Y l A window-shade iixture,consisting of the combinaL tion of the spring-drum a, spring b, arbors ch, cord g, recessed pulley K, cord e, ratchet-wheeln, pawl o, andspring-rod p, all eombinedand operatingsubstantially as herein shown-anddescribed.

Witnesses:

GRAS. B. THOMSON, JOSEPH S. Fmr'rs'.

v C. E. FRITTS.

